A £25 million Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract for innovative minesweeping systems has been awarded to a Dorset company - in moves that will create 73 jobs.

Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK), based in Winfrith, near Dorchester, has been awarded a contract to deliver three Combined Influence Minesweeping (SWEEP) systems.

The un-crewed minesweepers will be the first of their kind, and will detect and destroy sea mines on dangerous naval operations for the Royal Navy.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said: “This next-generation autonomous technology will be instrumental to our goal of protecting the safety and security of our personnel, while reaffirming the UK’s unwavering commitment to improve the safety of international waters.”

More than 25 jobs will be supported through the contract to deliver SWEEP, plus 48 more jobs in the supply chain.

The sweepers will allow personnel to neutralise mines, which target ships and submarines passing overhead, from a remote and safe distance at sea while on operations worldwide - keeping sailors safe.

Each SWEEP system comprises an Autonomous Surface Vessel that tows a sensor unit behind it.

These units use magnetic, acoustic and electric technology to identify and neutralise different types of sea mines.

The system is controlled by a Portable Command Centre which can be based at sea, or on land.

The SWEEP contract option was signed by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK's MOD, and follows trials of the autonomous SWEEP demonstrator system.

Chief Executive of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Sir Simon Bollom said: "This SWEEP technology follows the contract negotiated for autonomous minehunters and provides the Royal Navy with the increased capability they need to deal with modern mine threats."

AEUK’s MD, Dr Antoni Mazur,said “Our mine countermeasures have produced a system the Royal Navy will be able to exercise to their advantage.

"The coming years will be a great opportunity to evaluate this capability in an operational environment and fully realise the benefits of autonomous mine countermeasures.”

The first system will be delivered in late 2022 and will enter operational evaluation before service at a later date.

The £25m is part of the UK’s £184m investment in the MMCM (Maritime Mine Counter Measures) programme will see 215 jobs supported across the UK.